Man indicted for smuggling 71 pounds of fentanyl into US through southern Arizona

PHOENIX — A man was indicted by a federal grand jury in Arizona last month for smuggling 71 pounds of fentanyl into the U.S. through a border port of entry in southern Arizona, authorities said.

Edwin Francisco Cubillas of Mexico, 27, faces two charges, including importation of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona said in a press release.

Cubillas is accused of entering the country through San Luis, where Customs and Border Protection Officers found 16 packages with blue circular fentanyl pills hidden in his car, according to the indictment.

If convicted, he faces a life sentence in prison and a $10 million fine.

Homeland Security Investigations examined the case, while the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona handled the prosecution.

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